Petition - Request for pedestrian crossing improvements in the vicinity of the Maypole Roundabout on A334 Broad Oak, Botley

Response from Hampshire County Council, July 2016

I refer to your petition received by Councillor Kyrle and received in full on 29 March 2016, requesting pedestrian crossing improvements in the vicinity of the Maypole Roundabout on A334 Broad Oak. I a sorry that there has been a delay in replying to you.

Controlled pedestrian crossings, such as zebra or puffin crossings, are subject criteria developed by the Department for Transport that ensure controlled crossings are placed where they are feasible to construct and will be most beneficial. These criteria consider factors such ash the number of pedestrians crossings, the traffic flow and site conditions. The number and category of pedestrians crossing, and traffic flow, determine the level of crossing difficulty and the need for a facility to be considered. The underlying principle to the criteria is that controlled crossings will only operate satisfactorily if they are used on a regular basis throughout the day. Where traffic flows are lower then pedestrians are able to cross comfortably in the gaps in traffic flow.

A controlled crossing has previously been explored for this site but conflict with entrances to private premises and the bus stop layby prevented measures being progressed further. Additionally the criteria in terms of demand level were not met and therefore a controlled crossing facility is not currently feasible or justified at this location.

A scheme of improvements to the Maypole Roundabout is planned for design as part of the 2016/17 Local Highways and Transport Programme. This scheme includes the installation of dropped kerbing to allow cyclists to leave the carriageway and make use of a widened footway to support crossing the A334 using the existing refuges either side of the roundabout. Although aimed at cyclists, the improvements will also assist pedestrians. Currently the scheme design is being commissioned and more detail on the proposed improvements will be available later in the year.